STORIES FROM THE BARN - SOMEONE NEW

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

A lone call from a male pheasant bounced off the mountain as Joseph was enjoying a dream tucked away in his corner. His legs were in so much motion, that it looked like he was making a snow angel.
Annie noticed Baby was awake as she shook the sleep from her body.

“Baby, we should wake Joseph up and see what he was dreaming about.†Annie whispered.
“That’s not very nice Annie. Would you like to be woken up from a dream?â€
“Well NO! Especially if it was a good one like Joseph is having now.â€
“Maybe he will remember what it was all about when he wakes up.â€
“Oh, I hope so. I am going to ask him to take me the next time he goes to dreamland.â€
“Annie, I never know what’s going on in your mind.â€
“Oh, you would be so surprised Baby.†Annie laughed.
“Surprised to say the least. I imagine, if I could get inside your mind I would leave faster than it took me to get there.†Baby replied with a smile.
“Oh Baby, that is so funny!†Annie answered as Joseph jumped up and started scanning his body.
“What’s up Joseph?†asked Baby.
“Oh, nothing. I just had a dream where I was chilling on a beach down south. What a place!â€
“You were just on the sand, not in the water, right? Annie asked.
“What do you think?â€
“Oh, I don’t have to because I know you don’t like water and exercise….. NOT!â€
“Well, Annie, you can pass go and collect your hundred dollars.â€
Annie looked puzzled.
“What does that mean Baby?â€
“That is Joseph just being Joseph. He heard our owners once talking about a game called Monopoly and he remembered that line.
“Yep. Donkeys never forget.â€
“Why don’t you take me with you the next time you go to dreamland.? You know I love an adventure.â€
Joseph looked at Annie.
“And how am I supposed to do that?â€
“Just tell me when you are going and I’ll join you.â€
“How?â€
“Well, I heard our owners once talking about space travel. Why can’t there be dream travel?â€
“I’ll check it out the next time I go into dream mode.†Joseph replied, hoping that it would be enough to satisfy Annie.
“That works for me Joseph. I guess I’ll go for breakfast now.†Annie said as she ran off.
“What just happened?â€
“I was hoping you could tell me, Joseph.â€
“I think, after I figure out how to get south outside of it being in a dream, I am going to figure out how to look into the contents of Annie’s mind.â€
“Good luck Joseph , but I have a feeling it would be like Jack Frost. Each time he decorates the windows the patterns are always different. I think it is the same way with Annie’s mind. It looks different each time she thinks something new.†Baby answered.
“Wow! I think I need breakfast before I think that one through.†Joseph told Baby.
Just as they were about to leave, Annie comes running back as if something was chasing her.
“Hurry! Hurry ! I got something to show you. You have to come with me right now!!!!!!
“What is it Annie?â€
“I can’t tell you, you have to see for yourselves.â€
“I hope it is worth me putting my breakfast on hold. You know how much I love my food.†muttered Joseph.
“I think it will be Joseph. In fact, it could be a matter of life or death.â€
“We better go with Annie and see what has happened.†said Baby.
The Little Ones left to find out what had Annie so concerned.
“Where are TC and Havier when you need them?†asked Baby.
“Oh, I know where they are. They are in the field. See what I am talking about?â€
“There is just someone in the field by the big tree with TC, Havier and our owners. What is all the fuss about?†asked Joseph who was thinking about the meal he left behind.
“Oh, it is not what you see. It is what I heard. I think this lady is going to take over. She is asking all kinds of questions about things in the barn and if she wasn’t going to take over why would she be asking in the first place!!! On top of that, our owners are telling her where everything is!â€
“Have you ever seen her before, Baby?â€
“Nope. I thought it was the lady from down the road but she is too short for her.â€
“Let’s see if we can get a little closer and hear what is going on.â€
“Joseph, isn’t it bad enough that we are near the big tree without permission and now you want to get closer. Isn’t that eavesdropping?†asked Baby.
“Only if you get caught and I don’t intend to get caught. Let’s go. I have to find out what is going on. Donkeys need to know.â€
Very carefully they inched their way closer and closer.
“Annie, that lady talks to you face to face almost.â€
“Excuse me Joseph. Are you calling me SHORT???â€
“Not in the least Annie. All it means is that you can almost look directly into her eyes and she does not have to bend over too far.â€
“Call it what you wish. You are saying I am short. Have you looked at yourself lately? You aren’t much taller than I am and I’m still growing! You are as tall as you are going to be!!!!!â€
“Ouch! I think I hit a nerve Baby.â€
“Joseph be good……†but before Baby could finish, TC and Havier turned around and looked directly at them.
The Little Ones looked at each other as TC made her way closer to them.
“Oh! Oh! We’re BUSTED!!! Joseph, it is all your fault. You wanted to get closer. I thought you weren‘t going to get caught. See! Now we are in trouble !!!†whispered Annie.
“No Annie, it wasn’t Joseph. We chose to come ourselves when we could have said no. So we are just as much at fault as Joseph.â€
“Well put Baby.†added TC.
“How do you figure that TC?â€
“Annie, I think you better shut your teeth before you bury yourself.†Baby added.
“Hmmmmmâ€
“Aren’t you supposed to be having breakfast?â€
“Hmmmmmâ€
“Then why are you here at the big tree when you know you are not to come alone?â€
Silence fell and hung in the air.. TC had to ask again.
“Annie started it.â€
“Well, Annie?’
“Hmmmmmmâ€
“What is with this Hmmmm thing anyway?â€
“Baby told her to shut her teeth before she got into trouble asking too many questions.â€
“Thank you Joseph. You are in a little trouble anyway for being at the big tree alone.â€
“We’re not alone TC. There are three of us.â€
“Yes Annie, that is true, but myself or Havier didn’t come with you.â€
“But we were coming to see you.â€
“ANNIE!!!â€
“Ok! I will shut my teeth!â€
“This conversation has ended for now but we will talk about it later.â€
“We are really busted this time.†muttered Annie.
“Seeing as you are already here, I want you to meet someone.â€
“Is she going to take over the barn TC?â€
“Oh, I see you have been here longer than I thought.â€
Baby and Joseph both gave Annie the “look†which made her stop thinking about saying anything else.
“Let me set the record straight. The lady is new to us but not new to looking after horses. Plus, she is not taking over altogether.â€
“See, she is going to take over some.â€
“Annie, I know you are excited but you also know it is not nice to interrupt while someone is talking.â€
“Sorry, TCâ€
“Apology accepted Annie. Now, as I was saying, she will be here looking after us while our owners are away for a bit.â€
Once again silence fell as the Little Ones started wondering if she knew what they were going to need.
“You all have the same puzzled look on your face. Her name is DeAnna and yes, she knows how to care for us. I think the best thing is for you to come with me and check her out for yourselves.â€

As they made their way towards DeAnna, TC could sense the uneasiness the Little Ones were feeling.
“She doesn’t know me, so how can she feed me right?â€
“She will Baby.â€
“She doesn’t know that I don’t like to get wet.â€
“Oh, Joseph, I imagine our owners have filled her in on all of us.â€
“But how is she going to know when I am afraid and things like that???!!!â€
“When she is here, Annie, she will be able to sense that.â€
“YOU MEAN SHE IS NOT GOING TO LIVE HERE WITH US??? WE ARE GOING TO BE ORPHANS AND HOME ALONE!!! shouted Annie.
“Oh Annie, it will be alright. It will be just like when our owners are home.â€
“No it won’t, there will be no lights on in the house to say they are there.â€
Just then Murphy strolled past.
“I have to be nice to the neighbour. She really doesn’t care for cats. Now that is going to be a challenge.â€
“Oh Murphy, they are leaving you too†Annie stated.
“That’s alright. I just have to remember to sit pretty when she comes in to feed me.â€
“I have an idea. Let’s stand right here and see if she comes to us or she waits for us to go to her.â€
“What’s that going to prove, Joseph?â€
“A lot, Annie.â€
“Let’s give it a goâ€
After a few minutes with no one moving, Joseph spoke up.
“I’m satisfied.â€
“Why are you satisfied Joseph? I don’t understand.â€
“I see what you mean, Joseph. You have made a great observation. DeAnna has respected our space.â€
“Oh, you mean that she is not getting all tied up in our business. Is that it?â€
“That’s it Annie. She is going to wait until we are ready to go and see her.â€
“I always knew you were smart Joseph. Let’s go. I’m ready†Annie answered.
“Just like a girl. When she is ready then everyone else should be too.†Joseph whispered to Baby who poked him in the side to be good.
Each of the Little Ones checked DeAnna out in their own unique way. It was cute to see her talking with the Little Ones. She had no problem looking them in the face. Then came Havier……she had to bend her head back as far as it would go and look up. Havier is so tall.
Baby started to smile.
“What are you thinking? I wonder if we are on the same page.â€
“Yep, Joseph. We may be. Look up. Way up.â€
“Ya, the friendly Giant.â€
“Yep.â€
“What‘s that?’ asked Annie.
“Just thinking out loud.â€
“Joseph, why didn’t you tell her?â€
“Sometimes, Baby, it is best to let sleeping dogs - or in this case - sleeping donkeys lie.â€
“I guess you are right.â€
“What were you right on Baby? Oh, I know, I’ll tell you later.†Annie answered and she knew they would tell her when the time was right.
The Little Ones felt better as they left with TC and Havier.
As everyone settled in for night TC knew she had to address the earlier problem, so she gathered everyone around.
“I know it has been an unsettling day for you all but it still didn’t make it right to come to the big tree on your own. When I say it is not a place to go by yourselves, I have my reasons for it. One being, if you were hurt, I could not hear you from the barn. There is no way of knowing how long you would be there.â€
“I am going to speak for us all TC, if I may. We know we have done wrong by going there. We should have waited for you to explain what was going on. We are all sorry and promise not to do that again.â€
“And what about the eavesdropping?â€
“Oh, we were sort of hoping you would forget that. We will try and do our best.â€
“Can I sleep in the big barn tonight TC?†asked Annie.
“No worries. Let’s all sleep in there tonight.â€
“Good night Little Ones.â€
“Good night TC and Havierâ€
“I wonder if I put on my pretty face would I be able to get more food from he?â€
“Then we could…………………..to be continued
　
Hi everyone. Hope you like the first part of our story. Let’s just say, “while the cat’s away the mice will playâ€, but in a good way. Join us next month to see how this ends.
Until then Be kind to one another and stay Safe.

Baby,Joseph,TC, Havier and Little Annie. Plus Murphy